The Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation has become a major partner of Moisson Montréal's Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets

MONTREAL, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Moisson Montréal is excited to announce that the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation has become a major partner of the Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets by donating $1.5 million, which will finance the program through to 2018. With this donation, the Foundation, which has contributed more than $3.4 million to our organization since 1991, has upped their engagement to help the country's largest food bank fight hunger.

"Over the last few years, the Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets has collected close to 800 tons of foodstuffs—including 323 tons of meat— in 76 grocery stores but Moisson Montréal realized that it would be impossible to expand the program into more supermarkets without the support of a major financial donor," explained Julie Bourbonnière, Director of Communications and Fundraising for Moisson Montréal. "Even if the operational costs for this program may seem high—totalling over a half million dollars annually—the impact on people in need is far greater." This donation will cover costs associated with training personnel, purchasing and maintaining refrigerated vehicles, buying freezers, building a test laboratory, hiring new drivers and more.

"The Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets, operated by Moisson Montréal, is an initiative that has had a considerable impact on the community and on the environment. As a result, the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation is proud to contribute to its growth. We know that our donation will enable the organization to pursue its double mission to, one, provide community organizations in Montreal with maximum food assistance, in the form of quality foodstuffs and, two, reduce food waste by developing more sustainable solutions," added Marie-Josée Coutu, President of the Foundation.

The Foundation's new commitment will ensure the continuation and development of the Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets across Montreal. According to Julie Bourbonnière, "the sustainable support provided by the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation for our recovery activities of residual foodstuffs is symbolic of how the wider community is becoming more aware of those in need. If food waste is disastrous for the environment, it is more tragic still considering that 146,000 Montrealers are receiving food aid every month. The Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets was created specifically because of the good it generates in our society."

About the Fondation Marcelle et Jean CoutuDevoted to philanthropic goals, the Foundation allocates its private funds in Canada, in the form of financial assistance on projects for the poor, women and child abuse, as well as projects supporting education, and to fight drugs addiction. In addition, the Foundation works in several developing countries.

About Moisson MontréalA non-profit organization founded in 1984, Moisson Montréal is today the largest food bank in Canada. Through its centre for collecting, sorting and distributing emergency food assistance, the organization allocates nearly 1,000 tons of food per month to close to 250 accredited community organizations on the Island of Montreal. In turn, these organizations provide food assistance to 146,000 people, including close to 34,000 children between the ages of 0 and 5. Moisson Montréal receives funding and supplies mainly through donations. Its operations require the collaboration of nearly 8,000 volunteers each year and result in the redistribution of about 13 million kilos of foodstuffs, representing a total value of close to $61 million. Moisson Montréal has won two awards for its Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets: the 2015 Corporate Citizenship (Supply category) award from Novae and the Élixir (Coup de Coeur category) prize from PMI. For additional information: www.moissonmontreal.org